Question

Determine the most appropriate third-party intervention to transform the conflict and answer the following questions for your selected conflict.

1. What form of intervention would you use to transform this case? In your answer, be sure to provide a rationale for your choice and state the advantages and disadvantages of using this form of intervention.

2. Based on the parties involved, who is in the best position to make a difference in the conflict as you understand it? Why?

Case:

Family Problems In this case, three adult siblings are involved in a dispute over the distribution of property following the death of their remaining parent. The middle child, Delores, had been named the executor of her parent’s estate, but chose not to do anything other than what was required by law at her father’s death. According to the will, the estate was to be evenly divided between the surviving children. However, this has not yet occurred. As time went on (a couple of years) Delores’ older sister Jane took several large pieces of furniture from her parent’s home and gave them to her children. The younger brother, Ernie wanted to make other investments that would require the sale of the parent’s property. He also wanted to make sure that part of his parent’s estate would be available to pass on to his children.

Other Relevant Information

 Delores never married and has no children.

 The siblings have another sister, Penny, who was killed in a car accident many years ago. Penny was survived by an estranged spouse and four children.

 Jane’s reasoning abilities are hampered by a brain injury incurred in her late teens.

 Jane and her spouse live in California and visit for extended periods of time at least twice a year. Jane typically stays at her late parent’s home.

 Delores and Ernie live in Washington.

 Delores and Ernie’s family have generally gotten along well up to the death of their father.

 Ernie and Jane have not agreed on much of anything since Ernie married someone Jane did not approve of for him.

 Ernie and Jane had a further falling out when Jane said that Ernie’s wife would not be able to participate in their father’s funeral and that Ernie’s daughter had told him about Jane’s comment.

 Delores and Ernie and Jane all agreed in principle at least that Penny’s children should be included in the distribution of property when and if it should occur.

Answer 1

According to me, the third-party intervention that should be used would be mediation because it helps the conflicted families to solve issues on property settlements and financial agreements. A meeting between the disputing parties is facilitated by the mediator where they are given the opportunity to express themselves freely without interruption and settle on an agreement.

Advantages of Mediation

1.Less expensive and time consuming.

2.Possible solutions are tested first.

3.Conflict is resolved by everyone settling on an agreement.

4.Improves relationships and communication.

5.It helps restore balance.

Disadvantages of mediation

1.No results and the conflict could continue.

2.It has no formal rules and no guarantee that protects individuals rights.

Answer 2. Dolores is in the best position to make a difference in the conflict because she does not seem to have many issues with either of her siblings and can herself play the role of a mediator. She is not married and has no children. She does not seem to care much about her share of property. Mostly, the issues need to be resolved between Earnie and Jane.